Reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier

ABSTRACT

A reposable surgical clip applier including a clip cartridge assembly releasably engagable within a shaft assembly of the surgical clip applier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/947,936, filed on Apr. 9, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/501,125, filed May 4, 2017, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical clip appliers and, more particularly, to a reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a clip cartridge assembly that are configured for selective disassembly to facilitate disposable of any disposable component(s) and reprocessing of any reusable component(s) for further use.

Description of Related Art

Various staplers and clip appliers are known in the art and used for a number of distinct and useful surgical procedures. Clip appliers that are able to apply multiple clips during a single entry into a body cavity, for example, are described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,084,057 and 5,100,420 to Green et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another multiple clip applier is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,436 by Pratt et al., the entire contents of which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,502 to Pier et al., the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a resterilizable surgical clip applier that is configured to receive and cooperate with an interchangeable clip magazine so as to advance and form multiple clips during a single entry into a body cavity.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a clip cartridge assembly that are configured for selective disassembly to facilitate disposable of any disposable component(s) and reprocessing of any reusable component(s) for further use.

A reposable surgical clip applier provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly releasably engagable with the handle assembly, and a clip cartridge assembly releasably engagable within the shaft assembly.

The handle assembly includes a housing, one or more handles movable relative to the housing between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, and an inner actuation assembly disposed within the housing. The inner actuation assembly includes a proximal pusher and a proximal drive and is operably coupled to the handle(s) such that movement of the handle(s) towards the approximated position moves the proximal pusher proximally and the proximal drive distally, and such that movement of the handle(s) towards the spaced-apart position moves the proximal pusher distally and the proximal drive proximally.

The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a jaw assembly supported at a distal end portion of the outer tube, and an inner drive slidably disposed within the outer tube and operably coupled to the jaw assembly such that distal movement of the inner drive through the outer tube actuates the jaw assembly.

The clip cartridge assembly retains a stack of surgical clips therein and includes a distal pusher operably coupled to a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips such that distal movement of the distal pusher loads the distal-most surgical clip into the jaw assembly when the clip cartridge assembly is releasably engaged within the shaft assembly.

When the shaft assembly is releasably engaged with the handle assembly and the clip cartridge assembly is releasably engaged within the shaft assembly, the proximal drive is positioned proximally adjacent the inner drive such that movement of the handle(s) towards the approximated position actuates the jaw assembly, and the proximal pusher is positioned proximally adjacent the distal pusher such that movement of the handle(s) towards the spaced-apart position loads the distal-most surgical clip into the jaw assembly.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the clip cartridge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the distal pusher proximally.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the inner drive proximally.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the outer tube of the shaft assembly defines an elongated cut-out. In such aspects, then clip cartridge assembly is removably insertable into the elongated cut-out to releasably engage the clip cartridge assembly within the shaft assembly. In such aspects, the clip cartridge assembly may include a slider movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to releasable lock the clip cartridge assembly within the elongated cut-out. Further, the slider may be releasably retainable in each of the locked and unlocked positions.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the handle assembly includes a distal mouth defining a central passageway and a retention ring extending inwardly into the central passageway. In such aspects, the shaft assembly includes a proximal collar disposed about a proximal end portion of the outer tube. The proximal collar defines an annular recess configured to receive the retention ring upon insertion of the proximal collar into the distal mouth to releasably engage the shaft assembly with the handle assembly.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal collar defines a chamfered proximal surface. In such aspects, the retention ring is configured to cam over the chamfered proximal surface and into the annular recess upon insertion of the proximal collar into the distal mouth.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the handle assembly includes a pair of handles pivotably coupled to the housing and extending from opposed sides thereof.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the handle assembly includes a door movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively provide access to an interior of the housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the clip cartridge assembly includes an at least partially transparent cover to enable visualization of the stack of surgical clips through the at least partially transparent cover.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a proximal most-clip of the stack of surgical clips defines a solid disc configuration such that, when the proximal-most clip is loaded into the jaw assembly, actuation of the jaw assembly is inhibited.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the clip cartridge assembly further includes a clip follower configured to bias the stack of surgical clips distally. In such aspects, upon loading of a proximal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips into the jaw assembly, the clip follower may be configured to engage the distal pusher.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal pusher of the inner actuation assembly of the handle assembly includes a rod, the proximal drive of the inner actuation assembly of the handle assembly includes a dowel defining a lumen, and the rod is slidably disposed within the lumen of the dowel.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the jaw assembly is removable from the outer tube. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the inner drive is removable from the outer tube.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner drive includes a proximal drive plunger and a distal drive bar engaged to the proximal drive plunger. When the shaft assembly is releasably engaged with the handle assembly and the clip cartridge assembly is releasably engaged within the shaft assembly, movement of the handle(s) towards the approximated position urges the proximal drive distally into contact with the proximal drive plunger to thereby move the distal drive bar distally to actuate the jaw assembly.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, when the shaft assembly is releasably engaged with the handle assembly and the clip cartridge assembly is releasably engaged within the shaft assembly, movement of the handle(s) towards the spaced-apart position urges the proximal pusher distally into contact with the distal pusher to thereby load the distal-most surgical clip into the jaw assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and features of a reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier are provided in accordance with the present disclosure with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier provided in accordance with the present disclosure, shown in an assembled condition with a door of a handle assembly thereof closed;

FIG. 2 is a top, perspective view of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1, shown in an assembled condition with the door of the handle assembly open;

FIG. 3 is a top, perspective view of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1, shown in a disassembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a clip cartridge assembly of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the clip cartridge assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side, perspective view of the clip cartridge assembly of FIG. 4 with the cover housing removed from the other components of the clip cartridge assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, side, perspective view of the area of detail indicated as “7” in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view of the transverse cross-section taken across section line “8-8” in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a front, perspective view, with parts separated, of the clip cartridge assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across section line “10-10” of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the area of detail indicated as “11” in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the area of detail indicated as “12” in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a top, perspective view of a shaft assembly of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across section line “16-16” of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top, perspective view, with parts separated, of the shaft assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a top, perspective view of a handle assembly of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1, with a housing section removed to illustrate the internal components therein;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across section line “19-19” of FIG. 3;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across section line “20-20” of FIG. 3;

FIG. 21 is a top, perspective view, with parts separated, of the handle assembly of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are a longitudinal, cross-sectional views illustrating engagement of the shaft assembly of FIG. 13 with the handle assembly of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are top, perspective view illustrating engagement of the clip cartridge assembly of FIG. 4 with the shaft assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1, disposed in an assembled condition;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of detail indicated as “27” in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a top view of a distal portion of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 29 is an enlarged, front, perspective view of a distal end portion of the surgical clip applier of FIG. 1 with components shown in phantom to illustrate internal features of the surgical clip applier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A reposable multi-fire surgical clip applier in accordance with the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical structural elements. As shown in the drawings and described throughout the following description, as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on a surgical instrument, the term “proximal” refers to the end portion of the apparatus or component thereof which is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end portion of the apparatus or component thereof which is further away from the user.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a surgical clip applier provided in accordance with the present disclosure is generally designated as 10. Surgical clip applier 10 includes a handle assembly 100, a shaft assembly 200 extending distally from handle assembly 100, and a clip cartridge assembly 300 mounted within shaft assembly 200. Shaft assembly 200 is removably and selectively engagable with handle assembly 100 and clip cartridge assembly 300 is removably and selectively mountable within shaft assembly 200. Handle assembly 100 and shaft assembly 200 may be configured as sterilizable, reusable components, while clip cartridge assembly 300 may be configured as a single-procedure-use component. As described in detail below, a stack of surgical clips “C” (FIG. 6) is loaded into clip cartridge assembly 300 such that, in operation, each actuation of handle assembly 100 actuates cooperating drive components of handle assembly 100, shaft assembly 200, and cartridge assembly 300 to fire and form a single surgical clip from the stack of surgical clips “C” (FIG. 6) around a vessel or other tissue to ligate the vessel or other tissue.

Referring to FIGS. 4-12, clip cartridge assembly 300 includes a cartridge cover 310, a clip carrier 320, a clip follower 330, a distal pusher 340, a slider 350, a first biasing member 360, a second biasing member 370, and stack of surgical clips “C.”

With reference to FIGS. 4-6 and 9, cartridge cover 310 defines a plurality of engagement slots 312, an internal cavity 314, a window 316, and a pair of opposed pin lumens 318. Cartridge cover 310 may be formed at least partially from a transparent material, e.g., a transparent plastic, to enable visualization into internal cavity 314 thereof. Engagement slots 312 of cartridge cover 310 are configured to receive engagement flanges 326 of clip carrier 320 to engage cartridge cover 310 about clip carrier 320, e.g., in snap-fit engagement therewith. Internal cavity 314 is configured to receive at least a portion of clip follower 330, distal pusher 340, slider 350, first biasing member 360, and the stack of surgical clips “C” therein.

Window 316 of cartridge cover 310 is configured to slidably receive a cap portion 354 of slider 350. Cartridge cover 310 includes a protrusion 317 extending transversely into proximal window 316 from a side thereof. Cap portion 354 of slider 350 defines a more-proximally positioned recess 355 a defined on a side thereof and a more-distally positioned recess 355 b defined on the same side thereof. More-proximally positioned recess 355 a is configured to receive protrusion 317 of cartridge cover 310 to releasably retain slider 350 in a distal position relative to cartridge cover 310. Upon sufficient proximal urging of cap portion 354 of slider 350 relative to cartridge cover 310, protrusion 317 of cartridge cover 310 is dislodged from more-proximally positioned recess 355 a of cap portion 354 of slider 350, enabling slider 350 to slide proximally through window 316. Once slider 350 is slid sufficiently proximally, protrusion 317 is engaged within more-distally positioned recess 355 b of cap portion 354 of slider 350 to thereby releasably retain slider 350 in a proximal position relative to cartridge cover 310. The proximal and distal positions of slider 350 are described in detail hereinbelow.

Opposed pin lumens 318 of cartridge cover 310 are configured to support opposite end portions of transverse pin 319. A proximal end portion 372 of second biasing member 370 is engaged about transverse pin 319, thus fixing proximal end portion 372 of second biasing member 370 relative to cartridge cover 310 and, thus, clip carrier 320.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, clip carrier 320 of clip cartridge assembly 300 includes a floor 322 and a pair of side walls 324 extending longitudinally along the opposed sides of floor 322 such that clip carrier 320 defines a generally U-shaped configuration. Clip carrier 320 is configured for positioning between cartridge cover 310 and pusher 330 and includes a plurality of engagement flanges 326 that, as noted above, are configured for receipt within engagement slots 312 of cartridge cover 310 to engage cartridge cover 310 about clip carrier 320, e.g., in snap-fit engagement therewith.

With additional reference to FIG. 12, clip carrier 320 further includes a resilient central tang 328 extending upwardly from floor 322 towards a distal end portion of clip carrier 320. Resilient central tang 328 is configured to engage a backspan of a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” to retain the stack of surgical clips “C” within clip carrier 320. Clip carrier 320 further includes a leg 329 depending from an underside of floor 322 towards a proximal end portion thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, clip follower 330 of clip cartridge assembly 300 includes a distal sled 332 slidably disposed within clip carrier 320 proximally of the stack of surgical clips “C.” Distal sled 332 of clip follower 330, more specifically, is configured for positioning proximally adjacent the proximal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” in abutting relation therewith. Distal sled 332 further defines a pair of slots 333 therethrough, as detailed below. Clip follower 330 further includes an elongated rod 334 extending proximally from distal sled 332. Elongated rod 334 defines a fixed distal end engaged to distal sled 332 and a free proximal end that is slidably disposed within a lumen 353 defined within base portion 352 of slider 350. First biasing member 360 is disposed about elongated rod 334 of clip follower 330 between distal sled 332 and base portion 352 of slider 350 so as to bias distal sled 332 distally into the proximal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips “C,” thereby biasing the stack of surgical clips “C” distally.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, distal pusher 340 of clip cartridge assembly 300 is slidably disposed about an underside of clip carrier 320 (e.g., opposite clip follower 330). Distal pusher 340 includes a pair of pusher flanges 342 at a distal end portion thereof that is configured to urge a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” distally over resilient central tang 328 of clip carrier 320 and distally from clip cartridge assembly 300 into jaws 238 (FIG. 3). Distal pusher 340 further includes a proximal slot 344 defined therethrough towards the proximal end portion thereof that is configured to slidably receive leg 329 of clip carrier 320 to maintain distal pusher 340 and clip carrier 320 in alignment with one another while permitting distal pusher 340 to slide longitudinally relative to clip carrier 320.

Distal pusher 340 also includes a flange 346 depending from an underside thereof at an intermediate portion of distal pusher 340. Flange 346 is configured to receive a distal end portion 374 of second biasing member 370 such that the distal end portion 374 of second biasing member 370 is fixed relative distal pusher 340. With distal end portion 374 of second biasing member 370 fixed relative to distal pusher 340, and with proximal end portion 372 thereof fixed relative to cartridge cover 310 (via transverse pin 319, as noted above), second biasing member 370 serves to bias distal pusher 340 proximally relative to cartridge cover 310 and, thus, clip carrier 320 and the stack of surgical clips “C.”

Distal pusher 340 additionally includes a proximally-facing pusher surface 348 disposed at a proximal end portion thereof. Proximally-facing pusher surface 348 may be part of a proximal extension 349 that is monolithically formed with distal pusher 340 and folded below and under the proximal end portion thereof to define proximally-facing pusher surface 348.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, and 9, slider 350 of clip cartridge assembly 300 includes a base portion 352 and a cap portion 354 disposed on base portion 352. Cap portion 352, as detailed above, is configured for slidable receipt within window 316 of cartridge cover 310 and is releasably engagable therein in either a proximal position or a distal position. In the distal position, base portion 352 of slider 350 does not extend proximally beyond the proximal end portion of cartridge cover 310. In the proximal position, base portion 352 extends proximally beyond the proximal end portion of cartridge cover 310. As detailed below, movement of slider 350 between the distal and proximal position enables selective locking and unlocking of clip cartridge assembly 300 within shaft assembly 200 (FIG. 3).

Base portion 352 of slider 350, as noted above, defines a lumen 353 extending longitudinally therethrough. Lumen 353 is configured to slidably receive elongated rod 334 of clip follower 330. Cap portion 352 of slider 350 may define a textured, e.g., grooved, upper surface 356 to facilitate gripping cap portion 352 of slider 350 to slide slider 350 between the proximal and distal positions.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the stack of surgical clips “C,” as detailed above, is supported within clip carrier 320 with the clips thereof arranged in tip-to-tail orientation. Each of the surgical clips of the stack of surgical clips “C,” except for the proximal-most clip “PC,” includes a pair of legs interconnected by a backspan. The proximal-most clip “PC” is formed as a solid disc and may be distinctively marked and/or colored. Providing the proximal-most clip “PC” in this manner enables the user to visually determine or at least estimate the number of surgical clips remaining by viewing the position of the proximal-most clip “PC” through cartridge cover 310. The proximal-most clip “PC,” if loaded into jaws 238 (FIG. 3), also serves as a lockout, as detailed below.

Referring to FIGS. 13-17, shaft assembly 200 includes an outer tube 210, a proximal collar 220, an inner stop ring 225, a jaw assembly 230, and an inner drive assembly 240. Outer tube 210 includes an open distal end portion 212, an open proximal end portion 214, a lumen 216 extending between and communicating with the open distal and proximal end portions, 212, 214, respectively, and an elongated cut-out 218 defined through a side wall of outer tube 210 and communicating with lumen 216 therethrough. Elongated cut-out 218 is spaced-apart from open distal end portion 212 of outer tube 210 such that outer tube 210 defines a tubular distal segment 219 a disposed distally of elongated cut-out 218. Elongated cut-out 218 is also spaced-apart from open proximal end portion 214 of outer tube 210 such that outer tube defines a tubular proximal segment 219 b disposed proximally of elongated cut-out 218.

Proximal collar 220 is fixedly engaged about tubular proximal segment 219 b of outer tube 210. Proximal collar 220 defines an annular recess 222 and a chamfered proximal annular edge 224 adjacent annular recess 222. Inner stop ring 225 is disposed within tubular proximal segment 219 b of outer tube 210 and is fixedly engaged therein in any suitable manner, e.g., welding.

Jaw assembly 230 includes a stationary base 232 and a jaws component 236. Stationary base 232 is affixed within outer tube 210 to an interior surface thereof, e.g., via welding. Stationary base 232 includes a proximal finger 233, a central block 234, and a distal finger 235. Jaws component 236 includes a proximal hub 237 a, a bifurcated neck 237 b, and a pair of jaws 238, one of which is attached to the free distal end of each of the bifurcated portions of bifurcated neck 237 b. Proximal hub 237 a of jaws component 236 defines a slot 237 c configured to receive central block 234 of stationary base 232, while proximal finger 233 is configured to engage a proximal end portion of proximal hub 237 a, and distal finger 235 is configured to engage a distal end portion of proximal hub 237 a between the bifurcated portions of bifurcated neck 237 b to engage jaws component 236 about stationary base 232 within outer tube 210. With jaws component 236 engaged about stationary base 232 in this manner, jaws 238 extend distally from open distal end 214 of outer tube 210.

Jaws 238 of jaw assembly 230 are biased apart from one another via bifurcated neck 237 b. Jaws 238 define outwardly-facing cam surfaces 239 a and inwardly-facing channels 239 b. Distal drive bar 242 of inner drive assembly 240 is configured to engage cam surfaces 239 a of jaws 238 and urge jaws 238 towards one another, as detailed below. Inwardly-facing channels 239 b of jaws 238 are configured to receive the legs of a surgical clip from the stack of surgical clips “C” therein to retain the surgical clip within the jaws 238 during formation thereof, as also detailed below.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 13-17, inner drive assembly 240 of shaft assembly 200 includes an inner drive having a distal drive bar 242 and a proximal drive plunger 244, and a drive biasing member 246. Distal drive bar 242 includes a base 243 a and a pair of side walls 243 b extending longitudinally along opposing sides of base 243 a so as to define an inner channel 243 c extending longitudinally along distal drive bar 242.

Distal drive bar 242 of inner drive assembly 240 further includes a boxed distal end portion 243 d and a slot 243 e defined through base 243 a towards the boxed distal end portion 243 d thereof. Distal drive bar 242 is slidably disposed within lumen 216 of outer tube 210. Slot 243 e is configured to slidably receive stationary base 232 of jaw assembly 230 therethrough to enable distal drive bar 242 to slide within outer tube 210 and about stationary base 232. Boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242 is configured for positioning about bifurcated neck 237 b of jaw assembly 230. Upon distal advancement of distal drive bar 242, as detailed below, boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242 is advanced distally about jaws component 236 to cam about cam surfaces 239 a of jaws 238 to thereby urge jaws 238 towards one another.

Proximal drive plunger 244 includes a proximal hub 245 a and a distal shaft 245 b fixed relative to and extending distally from proximal hub 245 a. A distal end portion of distal shaft 245 b is engaged within a proximal end portion of inner channel 243 c of distal drive bar 242. Drive biasing member 246 of inner drive assembly 240 is disposed about distal shaft 245 b of proximal drive plunger 244 between proximal hub 245 a and inner ring stop 225 so as to bias proximal drive plunger 244 and, thus, distal drive bar 242, proximally. Proximal hub 245 a of proximal drive plunger 244 further defines an aperture 245 c therethrough.

Jaws component 236 and inner drive assembly 240 are removable from outer tube 210 to facilitate reprocessing of the various components thereof for reuse. In order to insert jaws component 236 and inner drive assembly 240 into operable engagement with outer tube 210 and one another, jaws component 236, lead by proximal hub 237 a thereof, is inserted proximally through open distal end 212 of outer tube 210 until slot 237 c of jaws component 236 is aligned above central block 234 of stationary base 232. Inner drive assembly 240, lead by boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242, is inserted distally through open proximal end 214 of outer tube 210 and slid distally about jaws component 236 until boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242 is disposed about bifurcated neck 237 b of jaws component 236, such that proximal hub 237 a of jaws component 236 is disposed above slot 243 e of base 243 a of distal drive bar 242, and such that a distal end portion of drive biasing member 246 is urged against inner ring stop 225 within outer tube 210.

Once inner drive assembly 240 and jaws component 236 have been positioned as detailed above, proximal hub 237 a of jaws component 236 may be engaged with stationary base 232 through slot 243 e of base 243 a of distal drive bar 242. More specifically, proximal hub 237 a of jaws component 236 is urged towards central block 234 of stationary base 232 such that central block 234 is received within slot 237 c of jaws component 236 and proximal and distal fingers 233, 235 of stationary base 232 are engaged about the proximal and distal end portions, respectively, of proximal hub 237 a of jaws component 236. With jaws component 236 engaged with stationary base 232 in this manner, stationary base 232 extends at least partially through slot 243 e of base 243 a of distal drive bar 242 and boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242 is disposed about bifurcated neck 237 b of jaws component 236. Thus, outer tube 210, jaws component 236, and inner drive assembly 240 are operably engaged with one another. Disengagement and removal of jaws component 236 and inner drive assembly 240 from outer tube 210 are effected in the opposite manner of the above-detailed insertion and engagement.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 18-21, handle assembly 100 includes a housing 110, a pair of handles 130, and an inner actuation assembly 140. Housing 110 includes an upper housing portion 112 and lower housing portion 114 secured to one another by a plurality of screws 116, although other suitable engagements are also contemplated. Each housing portion 112, 114 further defines a pivot recess 117. One of the housing portions of housing 110, e.g., upper housing portion 112, defines an access opening 118 selectively accessible by way of a door 120. Door 120 is coupled to housing portion 112 via a hinge 122 to enable door 120 to pivot between a closed position (FIG. 1), covering access opening 118, and an open position (FIG. 3), exposing access opening 118. Door 120 further includes a latch 124 that enables releasable latching of door 120 in the closed position. In the open position (FIG. 3) of door 120, access to the interior of housing 110 is provided to facilitate reprocessing of handle assembly 100 for reuse.

Housing 110 further includes an open distal mouth 126 configured to receive a proximal end portion of shaft assembly 200 therethrough to releasably engage shaft assembly 200 with handle assembly 100, as detailed below. Open distal mouth 126 is formed from cooperating mouth portions of upper housing portion 112 and lower housing portion 114 and defines a central passageway 127. A retention ring 128 is captured within open distal mouth 126 and protrudes radially inwardly into central passageway 127. Retention ring 128 is configured to releasably engage proximal collar 220 of shaft assembly 200 to releasably engage shaft assembly 200 with handle assembly 100, as detailed below.

Handles 130 of handle assembly 100 are pivotably coupled to housing 110 and extend outwardly from opposing sides thereof. Handles 130, more specifically, each include a pivot post 132 at the distal end portion thereof and a finger loop 134 at the proximal end portion thereof. Pivot posts 132 are pivotably coupled to housing 110 to enable pivoting of handles 130 relative to housing 110 between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. Finger loops 134 facilitate manipulation of handles 130 to pivot handles 130 between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.

Handles 130 of handle assembly 100 each further include a linkage 136 pivotably coupled at a first end portion thereof to an intermediate portion of the corresponding handle 130 via a pivot boss 138. Linkages 136 are respectively pivotably coupled at a second end portion thereof to inner actuation assembly 140, as detailed below.

Inner actuation assembly 140 includes a proximal drive including a proximal drive bar 142 and a drive dowel 154, a ratchet assembly including a ratchet rack 144 and a pair of ratchet pawls 146, a link assembly including a link arm 150 and a link boss 152, a proximal pusher including a proximal pusher bar 156 and a proximal pusher plate 158, and a biasing member 160.

Proximal drive bar 142 is slidably disposed within housing 110. Proximal drive bar 142 includes a pair of handle pivot supports 143 a about which second end portions of linkages 136 of handles 130 are pivotably engaged. Proximal drive bar 142 further includes a tab 143 b about which link boss 152 is operably coupled, as detailed below. Drive dowel 154 is fixedly supported on a distal end portion of proximal drive bar 142, extends distally from proximal drive bar 142, and defines a lumen 155 extending longitudinally therethrough.

Ratchet rack 144 is fixedly supported on a proximal end portion of proximal drive bar 142 and defines first and second sets of teeth 145 extending along opposed sides thereof. The first and second sets of teeth 145 are configured to engage the first and second ratchet pawls 146, respectively. Ratchet pawls 146 are pivotably supported within housing 110 on either side of ratchet rack 144 and are operably positioned relative to the sets of teeth 145 of ratchet rack 144 to provide ratchet functionality to inner actuation assembly 140, as detailed below. Biasing members 147 bias ratchet pawls 146 towards a neutral position.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 18-21, link arm 150 is pivotably coupled at a distal end portion thereof to proximal pusher plate 158 and at a proximal end portion thereof to link boss 152. Link boss 152 is pivotably supported within housing 110 via pivot posts 153 a thereof which are received within corresponding pivot recesses 117 of upper and lower housing portions 112, 114, respectively. Link boss 152 further defines an arcuate slot 153 b configured to slidably receive tab 143 b of proximal drive bar 142. Arcuate slot 153 b is open ended to enable selective coupling (and decoupling) from tab 143 b of proximal drive bar 142, as detailed below.

A proximal end portion of proximal pusher bar 156 is fixedly engaged on proximal pusher plate 158 which, in turn, is slidably supported on proximal drive bar 142 proximally of drive dowel 154. Proximal pusher bar 156 extends distally from proximal pusher plate 158, through lumen 155 of drive dowel 154 in slidable relation relative thereto, and distally from drive dowel 154.

Biasing member 160 is disposed about proximal drive bar 142. A distal end portion of biasing member 160 abuts an interior feature within housing 110, while a proximal end portion of biasing member 160 abuts the second end portions of linkages 136. In this manner, biasing member 160 serves to bias handles 130 towards the spaced-apart position relative to housing 110.

In operation, with handles 130 disposed in the spaced-apart position relative to housing 110 (under the bias of biasing member 160), proximal drive bar 142 and, thus, drive dowel 154, are disposed in a proximal-most position, while proximal pusher bar 156 and proximal pusher plate 158 are disposed in a distal-most position. As handles 130 are pivoted towards housing 110 towards the approximated position, linkages 136 urge proximal drive bar 142 distally. As drive bar 142 is urged distally, tab 143 b of proximal drive bar 142 enters arcuate slot 153 b of link boss 152 and acts thereon to rotate link boss 152 about pivot posts 153 a such that the proximal end portion of link arm 150 is moved laterally outwardly, thereby pulling the distal end portion of link arm 150 proximally. As such, link arm 150, proximal pusher plate 158, and proximal pusher bar 156 are pulled proximally. With handles 130 disposed in the approximated position relative to housing 110, proximal drive bar 142 and, thus, drive dowel 154, are disposed in a distal-most position, while proximal pusher bar 156 and proximal pusher plate 158 are disposed in a proximal-most position.

During the above-noted pivoting of handles 130 towards the approximated position, ratchet pawls 144 interact with ratchet rack 146 to provide an audible click and/or a tactile vibration, indicating that handles 130 are being moved through an actuation stroke. Further, upon handles 130 reaching the approximated position, ratchet pawls 146 clear ratchet rack 144, flip orientation to enable return of handles 130, and provide an end-of-stroke audible click and/or tactile vibration.

Upon release or return of handles 130 towards the spaced-apart position relative to housing 110, handles 130 pull linkages 136 proximally to thereby pull proximal drive bar 142 proximally. As drive bar 142 is pulled proximally, tab 143 b of proximal drive bar 142 is moved along and eventually exits arcuate slot 153 b of link boss 152 such that link boss 152 is rotated about pivot posts 153 a to pull the proximal end portion of link arm 150 inwardly, thereby pushing the distal end portion of link arm 150 distally. As such, link arm 150, proximal pusher plate 158, and proximal pusher bar 156 are pushed distally.

During the above-noted return of handles 130 towards the spaced-apart position, ratchet pawls 144 interact with ratchet rack 146 to provide an audible click and/or a tactile vibration, indicating that handles 130 are being moved through a return stroke. Further, upon handles 130 reaching the spaced-apart position, ratchet pawls 144 clear ratchet rack 146, flip orientation to permit subsequent actuation of handles 130, and provide an end-of-return audible click and/or tactile vibration.

Turning now to FIGS. 22-27, in order to assemble surgical clip applier 10 for use, handle assembly 100, shaft assembly 200, and clip cartridge assembly 300, if not pre-assembled, are individually assembled, as detailed above. Thereafter, shaft assembly 200 is engaged with handle assembly 100, as detailed below.

With reference to FIGS. 22-23, in order to engage shaft assembly 200 with handle assembly 100, the proximal end portion of shaft assembly 200 is inserted proximally into open distal mouth 126 of housing 110. More specifically, shaft assembly 200 is moved proximally relative to handle assembly 100 such that proximal collar 220 of shaft assembly 200 is inserted proximally into central passageway 127 and slid therethrough until retention ring 128 is cammed over chamfered proximal annular edge 224 of proximal collar 220 and into engagement within annular recess 222 of proximal collar 220 to thereby releasably engage shaft assembly 200 with handle assembly 100. During the above-noted insertion of the proximal end portion of shaft assembly 200 into open distal mouth 126 of housing 110, proximal pusher bar 156 is received within and extends through aperture 245 c of proximal hub 245 a of proximal drive plunger 244 of inner drive assembly 240 of shaft assembly 200. Further, when shaft assembly 200 engages with handle assembly 100 as detailed above, drive dowel 154 is positioned proximally adjacent proximal drive plunger 244. Once shaft assembly 200 is engaged with handle assembly 100, clip cartridge assembly 300 may be engaged within shaft assembly 200, as detailed below.

Referring to FIGS. 24-27, to engage clip cartridge assembly 300 within shaft assembly 200, slider 150 of clip cartridge assembly 300, if not already in the distal position, is moved to the distal position, wherein base portion 352 of slider 350 does not extend proximally beyond the proximal end portion of cartridge cover 310 and wherein more-proximally positioned recess 355 a of cap portion 354 of slider 350 is engaged within protrusion 317 of cartridge cover 310 to retain slider 350 in the distal position.

With reference to FIG. 24, with slider in the distal position, clip cartridge assembly 300 is inserted through elongated cut-out 218 of outer tube 210 of shaft assembly 200 and distally relative to outer tube 210 such that the distal end portion of cartridge cover 310 ducks under tubular distal segment 219 a of outer tube 210 and extends through the portion of lumen 216 defined by tubular distal segment 219 a of outer tube 210. Following the positioning of the distal end portion of cartridge cover 310 in this manner, the remainder of clip cartridge assembly 300 is inserted through elongated cut-out 218 to be seated within lumen 216 of outer tube 210.

Referring to FIG. 25, once clip cartridge assembly 300 is fully seated within lumen 210 of outer tube 210 with the distal end portion of cartridge cover 310 extending through tubular distal segment 219 a of outer tube 210, slider 350 is urged proximally such that protrusion 317 of cartridge cover 310 is dislodged from more-proximally positioned recess 355 a of cap portion 354 of slider 350, slider 350 is slide proximally through window 316, and protrusion 317 is engaged within more-distally positioned recess 355 b of cap portion 354 of slider 350 to retain slider 350 in the proximal position.

With additional reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, in the proximal position of slider 350, base portion 352 of slider 350 extends proximally beyond the proximal end portion of cartridge cover 310 and into tubular proximal segment 219 b of outer tube 210. Thus, with base portion 352 of slider 350 extending into tubular proximal segment 219 b of outer tube 210 and the distal end portion of cartridge cover 310 extending through tubular distal segment 219 a of outer tube 210, clip cartridge assembly 300 is locked in engagement within shaft assembly 200. Disengagement and removal of clip cartridge assembly 300 is effected in the opposite manner as the insertion and engagement detailed above.

Referring still to FIGS. 26 and 27, and with additional reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, handles 130 of handle assembly 100 are moved to and maintained in the approximated position during the above-noted insertion of clip cartridge assembly 300 into shaft assembly 200, although handles 130 need not me maintained in the approximated position during movement of slider 350 to lock clip cartridge assembly 300 within shaft assembly 200.

By maintaining handles 130 of handle assembly 100 in the approximated position during insertion of clip cartridge assembly 300 into shaft assembly 200, proximal pusher bar 156 and proximal pusher plate 158 are disposed in a proximal-most position and, thus, proximal pusher bar 156 does not interfere with the insertion of clip cartridge assembly 300 into shaft assembly 200. Rather, proximal pusher bar 156, in the proximal-most position thereof, is maintained proximally of proximally-facing pusher surface 348 of distal pusher 340 of clip cartridge assembly 300.

Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, once clip cartridge assembly 300 is disposed within shaft assembly 200, handles 130 may be released or returned towards the spaced-apart position such that proximal pusher plate 158 and proximal pusher bar 156 are moved distally towards the distal-most position thereof. As proximal pusher bar 156 is moved distally, the distal end portion of proximal pusher bar 156 is urged into proximally-facing pusher surface 348 of distal pusher 340 to thereby urge distal pusher 340 distally. As distal pusher 340 is moved distally, pusher flanges 342 thereof engage a backspan of a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” and urge the distal-most surgical clip distally over resilient central tang 328 of clip carrier 320 and distally from clip cartridge assembly 300 into inwardly-facing channels 239 b of jaws 238. Thus, surgical clip applier 10 is loaded with a surgical clip within jaws 238 and ready for use. As the distal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” is loaded into jaws 238, sled 332 of clip follower 330, under the bias of first biasing member 360, urges the remaining clips in the stack of surgical clips “C” distally such that each clip takes the position previously occupied by its distally-adjacent clip.

In use, with general reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 18, 23, and 26-28, surgical clip applier 10 is manipulated such that a vessel (or other tissue) to be ligated is disposed between jaws 238. Once this position has been achieved, handles 130 are moved from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position. As detailed above, as handles 130 are moved towards the approximated position, proximal drive bar 142 is urged distally. As drive bar 142 is urged distally, drive dowel 154 is likewise urged distally such that drive dowel 154 contacts proximal hub 245 a of proximal drive plunger 244 of inner drive assembly 240 of shaft assembly 200. Proximal drive plunger 244, in turn, is moved distally against the bias of drive biasing member 246 to thereby urge distal drive bar 242 distally. As distal drive bar 242 is advanced distally, boxed distal end portion 243 d of distal drive bar 242 is advanced distally to cam about cam surfaces 239 a of jaws 238, thereby urging jaws 238 towards one another to form the surgical clip loaded therein about the vessel (or other tissue).

Once the surgical clip is formed about the vessel (or other tissue), as indicated by the end-of-stroke indication provided by ratchet 144 and pawls 146, handles 130 may be released or returned towards the spaced-apart position such that the next surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips “C” is loaded into jaws 238 for subsequent firing. The above-detailed use of surgical clip applier 10 may be repeated to fire a plurality of surgical clips from the stack of surgical clips “C” until only the proximal-most clip “PC” remains.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 29, once the second-most-proximal surgical clip, the surgical clip disposed distally adjacent the proximal-most clip “PC,” has been fired and handles 130 are released or returned towards the spaced-apart position, distal pusher 340 is moved distally such that pusher flanges 342 thereof engage a proximally-facing edge of the proximal-most clip “PC” and urges the proximal-most clip “PC” distally from clip cartridge assembly 300 into inwardly-facing channels 239 b of jaws 238. Since the proximal-most clip “PC” is formed as a solid disc, jaws 238 are inhibited from being moved towards one another when the proximal-most clip “PC is disposed therebetween. Thus, actuation of handles 130 is inhibited. Further, with no clips remaining in clip cartridge assembly 300, sled 332 of clip follower 330 is moved to the distal end portion of clip carrier 320 under the bias of first biasing member 360. As a result of this configuration, as pusher flanges 342 are moved proximally in response to the release or return of handles 130 towards the spaced-apart position, pusher flanges 342 are engaged within slots 333 of sled 332 of clip follower 330 to further inhibit subsequent actuation of handles 130. Thus, clip-less firing of surgical clip applier 10 is inhibited.

The present disclosure contemplates that surgical clip applier 10 be capable of loading different surgical clip cartridge assemblies 300 within shaft assembly 200. Specifically, surgical clip applier 10 may be loaded with a clip cartridge assembly 300 having a stack of surgical clips “C” of a particular size and/or configuration. For example, depending upon a particular purpose, a first clip cartridge assembly 300 having a stack of surgical clips “C” of a first size or a second clip cartridge assembly 300 having a stack of surgical clips “C” of a second size different than the first size may be loaded into shaft assembly 200. Additionally, during a surgical procedure, if the need arises to use a different size and/or configuration of surgical clip, the user may remove the clip cartridge assembly 300 being used in favor of a different clip cartridge assembly 300.

The present disclosure further contemplates a surgical kit including one handle assembly 100, one shaft assembly 200, and one or more clip cartridge assemblies 300 (similar or different from one another). The kit may also include instructions for the assembly of surgical clip applier 10, the use of surgical clip applier 10, and/or the reprocessing of reusable components of surgical clip applier 10 following use. A package, container, or box may also be provided.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shaft assembly for a surgical clip applier, the shaft assembly including: an outer tube; a jaw assembly supported at a distal end portion of the outer tube; an inner drive slidably disposed within the outer tube and operably coupled to the jaw assembly such that distal movement of the inner drive through the outer tube actuates the jaw assembly; and a clip cartridge assembly releasably engagable within the outer tube, the clip cartridge assembly retaining a stack of surgical clips therein and including a distal pusher operably coupled to a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips such that distal movement of the distal pusher loads the distal-most surgical clip into the jaw assembly when the clip cartridge assembly is releasably engaged within the outer tube, wherein a proximal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips defines a solid disc configuration such that, when the proximal-most clip is loaded into the jaw assembly, actuation of the jaw assembly is inhibited.
 2. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clip cartridge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the distal pusher proximally.
 3. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the inner drive proximally.
 4. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer tube of the shaft assembly defines an elongated cut-out, and wherein the clip cartridge assembly is removably insertable into the elongated cut-out to releasably engage the clip cartridge assembly within the outer tube.
 5. The shaft assembly according to claim 4, wherein the clip cartridge assembly includes a slider movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to releasably lock the clip cartridge assembly within the elongated cut-out.
 6. The shaft assembly according to claim 5, wherein the slider is releasably retainable in each of the locked and unlocked positions.
 7. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clip cartridge assembly includes an at least partially transparent cover to enable visualization of the stack of surgical clips through the at least partially transparent cover.
 8. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clip cartridge assembly further includes a clip follower configured to bias the stack of surgical clips distally.
 9. The shaft assembly according to claim 8, wherein, upon loading of a proximal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips into the jaw assembly, the clip follower is configured to engage the distal pusher.
 10. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the jaw assembly is removable from the outer tube.
 11. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner drive is removable from the outer tube.
 12. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner drive includes a proximal drive plunger and a distal drive bar engaged to the proximal drive plunger.
 13. A clip cartridge assembly for use with a surgical clip applier, the clip cartridge assembly including: a stack of surgical clips; a distal pusher operably coupled to a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips such that distal movement of the distal pusher ejects the distal-most surgical clip from the clip cartridge assembly; and a proximal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips defines a solid disc configuration such that, when the proximal-most clip is loaded into a jaw assembly of the surgical clip applier, actuation of the jaw assembly is inhibited.
 14. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the distal pusher proximally.
 15. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a slider movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to releasably lock the clip cartridge assembly within the surgical clip applier.
 16. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 13, further comprising an at least partially transparent cover to enable visualization of the stack of surgical clips through the at least partially transparent cover.
 17. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a clip follower configured to bias the stack of surgical clips distally.
 18. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 17, wherein, upon loading of a proximal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips into a jaw assembly of the surgical clip applier, the clip follower is configured to engage the distal pusher.
 19. A clip cartridge assembly for selective loading into a device for applying surgical clips, the clip cartridge assembly including: a stack of surgical clips, wherein a proximal-most clip of the stack of surgical clips defines a solid disc configuration; and a distal pusher operably coupled to a distal-most surgical clip of the stack of surgical clips such that distal movement of the distal pusher ejects the distal-most surgical clip from the clip cartridge assembly; wherein, when the proximal-most clip is loaded into a clip forming assembly of the device for applying surgical clips, actuation of the clip forming is inhibited.
 20. The clip cartridge assembly according to claim 19, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the distal pusher proximally. 